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Quiz about You say Molossus I say Molossian
Quiz about You say Molossus I say Molossian

You say Molossus, I say Molossian Quiz


The Molossians were one of the lesser known tribes of Ancient Greece. How much do you know about them?

A multiple-choice quiz by Rowena8482. Estimated time: 4 mins.
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Author
Rowena8482
Time
4 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
400,537
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
7 / 10
Plays
203
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Question 1 of 10
1. According to Greek mythology, which mighty warrior was the founding father of the Molossian tribe? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. Until the Third Macedonian War in the second century BCE, which political entity was Molossus part of? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. Perhaps one of the best known Kings of Molossus is remembered in a saying or adage. Which one? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. A member of the royal family of Molossia, Arybbas, is recorded as winning the
"Tethrippon" event at the Olympic games in 344 BC. What was tethrippon?
Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. The famous oracle at Dodona in Molossia was dedicated to which Greek God? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. You may know that Alexander the Great was the son of Phillip II of Macedon, but do you know his Molossian mother's name? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. A breed of dog named a Molossian Hound or Molossoid was first recorded by which writer who said "Never, with them on guard, need you fear for your stalls a midnight thief, or an onslaught of wolves, or Iberian brigands at your back." Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. Ancient texts record that the Molossians referred to old men as "pelioi" and old women as "peliai". What does the root of these words (pel-) mean when translated into English? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. In 385 BCE, over 10,000 Molossian citizens were killed when an invading Illyrian army sacked their territory. Who lent his assistance to this army? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. Which Ancient Greek politician and general took refuge with Molossian King Admetus after his fall from grace in Athens? Hint



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. According to Greek mythology, which mighty warrior was the founding father of the Molossian tribe?

Answer: Achilles

Legend has it that Molossus, for whom the tribe is named, was the grandson of Achilles and Deidamia. His mother was Andromache, who was famed for her virtue and fidelity. Molossus was one of her three sons with Neoptolemus who took her with him after Troy fell, and her first husband Hector was killed.
2. Until the Third Macedonian War in the second century BCE, which political entity was Molossus part of?

Answer: League of Epirus

The League of Epirus was extant between 231 and 167 BCE. After the last member of the ruling royal family, Deidamia, was murdered, a federal republic began.
(This is not the same Deidamia who was Molossus' mother.)
The League held until the Third Macedonian War when it split because some cities sided with Macedonia, and some sided with the eventual victors, Rome.
3. Perhaps one of the best known Kings of Molossus is remembered in a saying or adage. Which one?

Answer: Pyrrhic Victory

Pyrrhus of Epirus reigned for four years, coming to the throne at the age of just thirteen.
He was ousted, but after finding powerful allies, he returned and retook his throne, albeit sharing it with Neoptolemus. Pyrrhus then had Neoptolemus murdered and reigned alone as King of Epirus.
Pyrrhic Victory refers to a victory with such severe losses for the winner that it is hollow.
4. A member of the royal family of Molossia, Arybbas, is recorded as winning the "Tethrippon" event at the Olympic games in 344 BC. What was tethrippon?

Answer: Chariot racing

Tethrippon was racing chariots drawn by four horses abreast, as opposed to synoris where there were two horses. It was an incredibly popular sport, and one of the few events where women were allowed to attend and spectate.
The famous scene from the movie "Ben Hur" (1959) gives a fairly realistic depiction of tethrippon.
Arybbas was the brother of Neoptolemus and they each ruled half of Epirus after the death of their father. Once Neoptolemus died, Arybbas became sole ruler.
5. The famous oracle at Dodona in Molossia was dedicated to which Greek God?

Answer: Zeus

Second only in importance to the Oracle of Delphi, Dodona remained an important religious site right up until the establishment of Christianity.
Archaeologists have found evidence of activity on the site dating back at least as far as the Bronze Age. The earliest mention of the worship of Zeus dates to the writings of Homer in around 760 BCE.
6. You may know that Alexander the Great was the son of Phillip II of Macedon, but do you know his Molossian mother's name?

Answer: Olympias

Olympias was the fourth wife of King Phillip II. She was a member of the Epiran royal family. According to Plutarch, she used the names Myrtale and Polyxena at different times in her life, as well as Olympias.
7. A breed of dog named a Molossian Hound or Molossoid was first recorded by which writer who said "Never, with them on guard, need you fear for your stalls a midnight thief, or an onslaught of wolves, or Iberian brigands at your back."

Answer: Virgil

These mastiff type dogs were famed and feared throughout Greece. They were used to guard the livestock and homes, and for hunting.
The Molossian people depicted them in sculpture and art, and even issued coins with images of the dogs on them.
The only surviving examples of these dogs today is the Molossus of Epirus, still found in Greece and Albania.
8. Ancient texts record that the Molossians referred to old men as "pelioi" and old women as "peliai". What does the root of these words (pel-) mean when translated into English?

Answer: Grey

The words derive from grey, a reference to the hair colour of the old people.
Senators were known as "Peligones".
The writings in question are those of the Greek geographer and philosopher Strabo.
9. In 385 BCE, over 10,000 Molossian citizens were killed when an invading Illyrian army sacked their territory. Who lent his assistance to this army?

Answer: Dionysius of Syracuse

The invaders were attempting to reinstate the exiled King Alcetas on the throne. This time they failed, and were beaten back when Sparta came to the aid of Molossus. The victory came at a price, however. Molossus was sacked and burned and many thousands of people died.
A second attempt, 15 years later would see the Molossians use tactics and subterfuge to again defeat the Illyrians.
10. Which Ancient Greek politician and general took refuge with Molossian King Admetus after his fall from grace in Athens?

Answer: Themistocles

Originally very popular with the "common people" Themistocles had a glittering political and military career during the Persian invasions of Greece in the fifth century BCE.
The writings of Plutarch tell us that he later became arrogant and began to offend people, and made some powerful enemies who conspired to have him ostracised, then put on trial for treason in Athens.
Themistocles fled, eventually ending up at the court of Admetus who gave him sanctuary and defied Athens to help him escape to safety in Persia.
Source: Author Rowena8482

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.
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